25/07/2025
Belfast Markets Encourage Shoppers For Independent Retail Month
As Independent Retail Month continues, Belfast City Council is encouraging residents and visitors to explore the unique offerings at the city's celebrated St George's and Smithfield Markets. Both markets are operating throughout the summer, providing a vibrant platform for both established and emerging local traders.
St George's Market, dating back to 1896, remains a major attraction, drawing over a million visitors annually. Open every weekend – Friday (08:00-14:00), Saturday (09:00-15:00), and Sunday (10:00-15:00) – it features over 500 stalls blending traditional produce with new, innovative products. Surveys indicate that almost a third of its visitors travel from Britain and Ireland, with over two-thirds primarily visiting Belfast specifically for the market, and over 80% recommending it to others.
The council's "Test Trade at St George's" initiative also continues to flourish, having supported over 100 local entrepreneurs since its pilot launch in 2019. This programme offers budding businesses, receiving council business support, a free six-week opportunity to trial products and services, gaining valuable sales, marketing, and customer service experience.
Smithfield Market, a unique gem, hosts over 30 distinct shops and retailers, offering everything from essential repairs and antiques to handmade toys and household furnishings. It operates Monday to Saturday, 09:30-17:30.
Councillor Ian McLaughlin, Chair of Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, highlighted the markets' significance: "St George's is a Belfast institution and our experienced traders bring a wealth of knowledge, many of them having served generations of families, while our newer traders inject creativity and innovation. It is this blend of traders that has helped the market to evolve over time, and for that reason, it is expected to continue to thrive for years to come."
He added that Smithfield "remains a unique gem in the city which offers something different from the usual high street mix." Councillor McLaughlin also noted the council's commitment to using the markets as a "springboard for budding entrepreneurs" and exploring new uses for these historic facilities, such as hiring St George's Market on non-market days for various events like food festivals and music gigs, including the popular Twilight Markets.
For more information on market days, opening hours, and venue hire, visit belfastcity.gov.uk/markets.
St George's Market, dating back to 1896, remains a major attraction, drawing over a million visitors annually. Open every weekend – Friday (08:00-14:00), Saturday (09:00-15:00), and Sunday (10:00-15:00) – it features over 500 stalls blending traditional produce with new, innovative products. Surveys indicate that almost a third of its visitors travel from Britain and Ireland, with over two-thirds primarily visiting Belfast specifically for the market, and over 80% recommending it to others.
The council's "Test Trade at St George's" initiative also continues to flourish, having supported over 100 local entrepreneurs since its pilot launch in 2019. This programme offers budding businesses, receiving council business support, a free six-week opportunity to trial products and services, gaining valuable sales, marketing, and customer service experience.
Smithfield Market, a unique gem, hosts over 30 distinct shops and retailers, offering everything from essential repairs and antiques to handmade toys and household furnishings. It operates Monday to Saturday, 09:30-17:30.
Councillor Ian McLaughlin, Chair of Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, highlighted the markets' significance: "St George's is a Belfast institution and our experienced traders bring a wealth of knowledge, many of them having served generations of families, while our newer traders inject creativity and innovation. It is this blend of traders that has helped the market to evolve over time, and for that reason, it is expected to continue to thrive for years to come."
He added that Smithfield "remains a unique gem in the city which offers something different from the usual high street mix." Councillor McLaughlin also noted the council's commitment to using the markets as a "springboard for budding entrepreneurs" and exploring new uses for these historic facilities, such as hiring St George's Market on non-market days for various events like food festivals and music gigs, including the popular Twilight Markets.
For more information on market days, opening hours, and venue hire, visit belfastcity.gov.uk/markets.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.